ORIGINAL ART: COUNTRY COLIC

signed

by LAWSON, ROBERT

LAWSON, ROBERT. LAWSON,ROBERT. ORIGINAL ART: COUNTRY COLIC. Offered here is an original pen and ink drawing that appeared greatly reduced opposite the Contents page of Country Colic, published by Little Brown in 1944, both written and illustrated by Lawson. The caption (written on an overlay in Lawson's hand) reads: "When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the laundryman?" The image is 6" wide x 4" high on board that measures 8 x 10". Done with his characteristic detail there is a caterpillar walking across a clothes line where 2 leaves are hanging attached by clothes pins. Subtle humor, signed with initials on the right. SOLD WITH 2 HANDWRITTEN LETTERS from Lawson to a noted book collector named William Easton Louttit. In the first letter dated May 15 [1944], Lawson responds to Mr. Louttit's request for this drawing. It reads in full: "Dear Mr. Louttit: Thank you so much for your delightful letter of May 4th. I am so glad that you enjoyed Country Colic and would be very happy to tender the Adam and Eve drawing, but, as you perhaps know, getting original drawings back from the publisher is a rather long drawn out process. They are usually sent out for exhibition in book shops, libraries, etc. and used in various ways for publicity purposes. I will write Little Brown about this particular drawing, but fear it may be quite a long time before it is returned. With many thanks for your interest, I am Sincerely yours, Robert Lawson. Rabbit Hill May 15." It would appear that Lawson was successful in retrieving the drawing, because it accompanies this letter to Louttit. He must have been grateful to receive the drawing as can be seen in the next letter. Written on August 15th, the day after V-J Day when the Japanese surrendered in WWII (this is referred to in the letter): "Dear Mr. Louttit: May I thank you for your overgenerous liquid token, which arrived most opportunely yesterday afternoon, barely two hours before the glorious news was given us. Nothing could have been more timely nor more appreciated by myself, my family and neighbors. We all thank you most heartily and wish you the best of everything at this happy time to which you have added so considerably. Sincerely yours, Robert Lawson. Rabbit Hill Aug. 15th 1945." A wonderful item with
(Inventory #: 37571)

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